We all love the fresh smells of the forest-the aroma of pine, cedar, juniper, and cypress. And the rich, spicy exotic aromas of sandalwood and cinnamon can transport us away to happy memories and a peaceful calm!
Our essential oils in the Woody family have a lot in common. They all bring that calming effect while boosting upbeat, positive emotions. They contain terpenes which are anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-viral and disinfectant, and are useful in treating colds, coughs, and flu.
They are soothing to muscles and joints, arthritis and rheumatism, and make good massage oils.
- They repel insects, including head lice and bedbugs.
- They’re good for the skin, with detoxing, antiseptic, astringent and tonic properties that clean, tighten, tone, and heal skin tissue.
The Woody essential oils blend well with oils from the Citrus, Spicy, and Floral families, as well as with other Woody oils. You will love working with these oils, creating cleaners and skin products, and enjoying the healing benefits they can bring for you and your family!
Here are facts about each of the Woody Essential Oil Family:
Cedarwood Atlas: is steam-distilled from cedar wood and sawdust, and originates from the United States. It’s a powerful oil for calming and grounding energy, releasing tension and anxiety, and promoting positive, creative thinking!
Cinnamon Leaf: This oil was recorded in Ebers Papyrus in 1550 BC with over 700 useful remedies to its credit! It’s the only Woody Oil that contains 80% of phenols, which have very high analgesic and anesthetic properties, so it’s wonderful for treating pain, and massaging muscles and joints.
Cypress: this revered oil was sacred to ancient Chinese, Egyptian, Tibetan, Greek, Roman and Phoenician civilizations for its cleansing and purifying properties. Its astringent properties can stop nosebleeds and heavy menstrual flow, and shrink hemorrhoids and varicose veins. It even tightens gum tissue, skin, and hair follicles, strengthening and preventing fall-out!
Himalayan Cedarwood: It’s sweeter and stronger than Cedarwood Atlas, comes from the Himalayan Mountains, and is called deodar in Sanskrit, meaning “wood of the Gods”. It protects the respiratory system, and was smoked by Native Americans since ancient times for chest congestion, colds and coughs.
Ho Wood: is calming and its sedative properties make it a great choice when you need to unwind.
Juniper Berry: This oil was used in Tibet and Egypt since ancient times, as a medicinal and an incense for purifying the air, and was used in Europe to drive out evil spirits and negativity. They may have had something, because it is effective at stopping children’s nightmares and fear of the dark, with a little spritzed on the pillow or diffused in a mist vaporizer!
Sandalwood: is valued as a sacred incense fragrance for spiritual meditation, calming, and clarity.
Scotch Pine: the oil of the Scotch Pine has been used for millennia to treat respiratory conditions, nervous fatigue, stressed and aching muscles, and detox the body. Its antiseptic properties make Pine a wonderful household cleaner, too, and you can use the essential oil to make an inexpensive and highly effective disinfectant for your home!
Sweet Birch: has a history of use for sore and achy muscles. It's purifying and uplifting and promotes the body's own ability to heal.